Connect How did your love story begin?

We met working at the worst dive bar. When I started there he had been there for a few years. He was deep in his addictions and substance abuse. I was recovering from an abusive relationship that left me grieving and had to completely rebuild my life in a new state. He started inviting me out and we quickly became best friends. We put off dating for as long as we could, but we could tell our souls were meant to be together! I fell in love with him and his daughter and they loved me and my pets.

What is your favorite memory you've shared as a couple?

When Eddy proposed to me. We went on a cruise with our closest friends who are all long distance. As someone who’s awful at surprises, he somehow didn’t even raise my suspicion despite our friends knowing. He arranged it all so the mountains of Ensenada were in the background and he proposed with all our friends there to see. My real engagement ring hadn’t arrived yet, so he proposed with a cheap diamond ring his 5 year old daughter secretely picked out at a flea market. It was all so special!

What would you do with $20,000?

We would invest a portion to his daughter’s future and allow it to accrue. The remaining we would divide in half: one half for a down payment on a house with land for our 4 pets and the other portion would be used to open our own bar. Eddy used to be homeless, so we would donate a portion of profit to the homeless. It would be a place where everyone is welcome, where there will be a playground for kids and outdoor space for pets. We want to build a community and give back to the people!